Bill Summary: An Act Concerning Probate Court Operations

• Sets filing fee of $250 for most probate court motions, petitions, and applications related to guardianship, adoption, conservatorship, and other matters (effective July 1, 2020)

• Sets filing fee of $150 for petitions regarding custody of deceased person's remains, with fee waived if the state is obligated to pay funeral and burial expenses

• Establishes waiver procedures allowing indigent petitioners/applicants to request waiver of filing fees and service process expenses if unable to pay

• Eliminates filing fees for adoption proceedings involving special needs children and for armed forces members' estates

• Updates probate court administrative procedures including payment methods (credit cards, debit cards, electronic funds transfer), file transfer processes using digital document management system, and reporting requirements for the Probate Court Administrator